Hydraulic power unit



Nov. 3, 1953 J. L. SCRUGGS HYDRAULIC POWER UNIT Filed se t. 22, 1949Sheets-Sheet 1 R O T N E V N John L Scruggs M22 M ATTORNEYS Nov. 3, 1953J. L. SCRUGGS 2,657,674

HYDRAULIC POWER UNIT Filed'Sept. 22, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.7012]: L. Scruggs ATTORNEYS J. SCRUGGS 2,657,674 HYDRAULIC'POWER'U'NITNov. 3, 1953 Filed Sept. 22, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ii 21 7 a 21 INVENTORJohn L. 5 cruggs ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 3, 1 953 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE HYDRAULIC POWER UNIT John Luther Scruggs, North Sacramento,Calif.

Application September 22, 1949, Serial No. 117,093 .1 Claim (01.121-121)This invention is directed to, and it is an object to provide, novelapparatus for converting hydraulic pressure to rotaryxmotion; theapparatus here being termed a hydraulic power unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hydraulic power unitwhich is especially adapted, but not limited, for use in a motor vehiclein substitution for the clutch and reduction or transmission gearassembly; the apparatus being perative to deliver a smooth, controlledfiow of rotary power to the drive shaft of such a vehicle.

An additional object .of the present invention is to provide a hydraulicpower unit which embodies a radial type reciprocating motor and anoveldistributor valve for feeding hydraulic pressure to, and simultaneouslyrelieving it from, opposed cylinders of the motor in succession so as toproduce rotary motion in said motor; said distributor valve being rotaryand actuated fromv the crankshaft of the motor.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a hydraulic power unitwhich does not include any complex structure, thus permitting of readyand relatively economical manufacture of the unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a practical and reliablehydraulic power unit, and one which will be exceedingly effective forthe purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relativearrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the followingspecification and claim.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the hydraulic powerunit.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation taken from the-distributor valve end of theunit.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on line 4'-4-of.F-ig. 111.

Fig. 5 is a cross section on line 5--5 of Fig. 1.

This application is a continuation in part of application, Serial No.20,122 filed April 9, 1948, now abandoned.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on thedrawings, the novel hydraulic power unit comprises a radial typereciprocating motor, indicated generally at I; such motor including acrankcase 2, a crankshaft 3; and connecting rods s radiating from thecrankshaft and carrying pistons 5 which reciprocate in cylinders 6mounted in circumferentially spaced relation on the crankcase 2.

A distributor valve, indicated generally at 1, projects centrally fromone end of the motor I and comprises the following:

The numeral '8 indicates an elongated cylindrical body fabricated in twosections, as shown, for ease of manufacture and assembly; suchcylindrical body 8 being flanged at its inner end, as at 9, and securedto the adjacent end of the 2 crankcase 2 in coaxial relationship to theadjacent end :of the crankshaft 3, which end of said crankshaft isjournaled in a bearing B.

.A rotary valve sleeve 10, likewise two-part or sectional for ease ofmanufacture and assembly, is disposed in the cylindrical body 8 with aclose running fit. The inner end of the rotary valve sleeve :10 isconnected, in driven relation, to the adjacent :end of the crankshaft 3as follows:

Said end of the crankshaft 3 is fitted with a hub ll surrounded by aseal l2, and said hub is formed with an enlarged radial or drivingflange I3. .Pins l4 project from the adjacent closed end of the rotaryvalve sleeve [9 and are socketed in the driving flange l3.

.At its outer end the rotary valve sleeve l0 terminates short of thecorresponding end of the cylindrical body 8; said ends of the sleeve itand body 8 being fitted with end plates 15 .and l 6, respectively. Athrust block W, carried centrally by the end plate It, runs against theend plate 86 to assure against axial displacement of the rotary valvesleeve Ill in the cylindrical body 8.

Intermediate its ends the rotary valve sleeve I0 is formed with aninternal partition l8 which forms separate internal chambers l9 and 2cin said rotary valve sleeve. The cylindrical body 8 is formed with acircumferential row of circular ports 2| therethrough in surroundingrelation to each of the internal chambers i9 and 29 of the rotary valvesleeve H]; such ports corresponding in number to the cylinders 6.

Each cylinder is formed, at its outer end, with a head flange 22, towhich a fitting 23 is secured by an attachment flange 24; there being acoupling 25 which secures each fitting 23 to a manifold type pipe 26which extends longitudinally of the distributor valve 7; i. c. saidmanifold type pipes 26- are circumferentially spaced about thedistributor valve 1 while extending lengthwise thereof.

Each manifold type pipe 26 includes a pair of laterally inwardlyprojecting branches 2'! which connect with the corresponding ports 2| ofthe two'circumferential rows of the latter.

The rotary valve sleeve it is formed with a part-circle, circumferentialslot 28 therethrough in communication with each of the internal chambersi 9 and 20, and said slots are disposed to run in register with thecorresponding ports 2|.

The slots 28 are of such part-circle, circumferential extent that eachthereof-upon rotation of the sleeve Ill-is continuously andprogressively in register with a plurality-of the related ports 2!.

Additionally, the two part-circle slots 28 are circumferentially opposedso that with rotation of the sleeve It), said slots register with ports28 which correspond to opposed cylinders 6 of the motor I.

The ends of the part-circle slots 28 are arcuate or concave, as at 29,in substantially matching relation to the circle of the ports 21,whereby as the slots begin to register with the individual ones of theports, such registry is what may be termed fast opening; the slots 28having a width substantially the diameter of the ports 2 l.

A circumferential row of slots 30 open through the rotary valve sleeveit! from each of the chambers i9 and 29 alongside, but spaced from, thecorresponding slot 28, and each row of said slots 30 runs at all timesin communication with a fullcircle, internal channel 3| formed in thecylindrical body 8.

The cylindrical body 8 is ported through from each of the channels 3|,as at 32, and such porting communicates with an enlarged, generally L-shaped fitting secured externally on the cylindrical body 2,suchfittings being shown at 33 and 34.

The fittings 33 and 3s comprise the means by which hydraulic pressureis-fed into, and relieved from, the distributor valve 1; the latterbeing coupled to a suitable valve-controlled, hydraulic pressure conduitsystem.

When th above described hydraulic power unit is in operation, the outputend 35 of the crankshaft is connected to the mechanism which is to bedriven. For example, when the hydraulic power unit is interposed inamotor vehicle in lieu of the clutch and transmission assembly, theoutput end :15 of the crankshaft 3 is connected to the drive shaft ofthe vehicle. In such an installation the pressure pump for'the conduitsystem is connected to, and driven by, the motor vehicle engine, and itis possible with the described hydraulic power unit for said engine torun constantly without acceleration or deceleration with the vehicle.

With the valves iii and 42 set as in Fig. 6, hydraulic pressure flowsthrough the conduit 37 to the distributor valve '5 and returns to thetank through the conduit 3'5. With the valve so set the motor i iscaused to rotate in one direction, say clockwise.

The function of the distributor valve 1 to cause operation of the motor6 under the influence of such hydraulic pressure is as follows:

When the hydraulic power unit is in operation,

when hydraulic pressure feeds through fit' ting 35 into the internalchamber I9, the related slot 29 successively registers with thecorresponding ports 2! to cause a hydraulic pressurefeed to thecorresponding cylinders 8 by means of the pipes 26. At the same time theslot 28 corresponding to the chamber 26 successively relieves thepressure from opposed ones of the cylinders 5; such relieved hydraulicpressure flowing through th fitting and returning to the conduit system.

Thus, there is a constant or progressive succession of hydraulicpressure feed to the cylinders of the motor i, with a correspondingrelief of pressure from opposed cylinders, producing rotary motion ofthe crankshaft 3; the timing between the motor and distributor valvebeing such that hydraulic pressure begins to feed to the cylinders whenthe pistons are at the top of their stroke, and begins to exhaust fromthe cylinders when the pistons are at the bottom of their stroke.

Such rotary motion is forceful and may be effectively regulated by theextent of hydraulic pressure fed to, and relieved from, the cylinders ofsaid motor I.

With the hydraulic power unit employed in a motor vehicle in lieu of theclutch and transmis sion assembly, a smooth, powerful drive isaccomplished without the necessity of any reduction gear trains or thelike; the unit being capable of developing a relatively great torque,and yet being easily controlled by the simple manipulation of the valvesin the hydraulic pressure conduit system.

While especially designed for motor vehicle installation or the like,the hydraulic power unit is capable of many adaptations or uses.Further, by employing the crankshaft 33 as the driv- -ing medium ratherthan as a driven part, the

unit would serve as a high-capacity pump.

The described hydraulic power unit eliminates the excessive frictionloss now present in conventional clutch and transmission assemblies,thereby assuring of high eiiiciency, with little wear and tear on theworking parts of the unit.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has,been produced such a hydraulic power unit as substantially fulfills theobjects of the invention as set forth herein.

. While this specification sets forth in detail the present andpreferred construction of the hydraulic power-unitstill in practice suchdeviations therefrom may be resorted to as do not form a departure fromthe spirit or" the invention, as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new anduseful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

In a fluid power unit, a fluid motor including a crankshaft and a radialcylinder, an elongated rotary valv'e connected to the shaft to turntherewith, said valve being hollow and divided into two longitudinallyseparated chambers, a fixed body surrounding and engaging the valve, thevalve having a port leading to each chamber and the body having portstoregister with the valve ports, a conduit leading from the outer end ofthe cylinder. having spaced legs connected to the body ports, the bodyand valve chambers having other registering ports, an intake passagemember connected to one of such other ports, and an exhaust. passagemember connected to the other one of said other ports; said first namedvalve ports being arranged in the valve so that when one of said portsis in register with the corresponding body port, the other valve port isout of register with the corresponding body port.

JOHN LUTHER SCRUGGS.

' References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name Date 253,299 Lapyre Feb. 7, 1882 646,197 Vaders Mar. 27,1900 674,237 Gibson May 14, 1901 1,229,076 Hayes June 5, 1917 1,924,423Svenson Aug. 29, 1933 1,939,212 Pascolini i Jan. 29, 1935 2,023,524Heaton Dec. 10, 1935 2,986,535 Centervall July 13, 1937 2,372,523Sinclair Mar. 27, 1945 2,435,611 Sejarto Feb. 11, 1948 v FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 75,381 Sweden Sept. 27, 1932

